Hundreds of firefighters from across the region paid their respects today to Mount Vernon firefighter Kevin Townes, who died last week while preparing to battle a house fire. Townes, 54, was a 25-year veteran of the force, and was given the job of driving Engine 2, the same truck that held his casket during this morning's funeral procession. Fellow firefighters say losing a brother is always difficult, especially someone with Townes' tenure. "It's agonizing," says Lenny Laselva, of the Mount Vernon Fire Department. "Because here's a guy that we live with every day, and now we're burying him." Services were held at the Grace Baptist Church, and Townes was laid to rest at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in White Plains. For video of Kevin Townes' funeral procession and service at the Grace Baptist Church, click on iO Extra on Channel 612.

Fallen Mount Vernon firefighter laid to rest